Renunciation

It was winter night of high clouds and low moon
Of trees and tender roses, fragnant with invisible thorns
When I met her, all dark and stormy –

When will you ever reform yourself, she asked
Admist claps of thunder and roar of sea waves
Right now, I said, what do you want me to do?

Give up beedi, dirty jeans and late night beer
Blushing, fidgeting and forgetfulness
She paused, and yes, more – your beard
Your father, mother, God and tintin

She recited all these, and panted for breath
I sighed and waited for more, none to come
I can give up all these easily, I assured
You are more dear than all these.

Really!, she said, and blushed like deep roses
Her cheeks as red, her smile inviting as those petals

What else will you give up dear, she asked
For your sake and mine – sorry, for our sake?
Her eyes steady on me, her hair ruffled by wind.

“Marrying you”, I said in one final renunciation
As late night mists covered the trees
As the low moon hid behind the clouds

(1997)